Kemi Badenoch has accused Sir Keir Starmer of handing Hamas a reward for terrorism by pressing ahead with plans to formally recognise a Palestinian state.
Writing to the media on her foreign policy agenda, the Conservative leader condemned Labour’s move as reckless and dangerous, warning it would undermine Britain’s global standing and weaken leverage over both Israel and Hamas.
“Most of us want to see a two-state solution,” she said. “But recognition of a Palestinian state without the release of hostages is a reward for terrorism. Yet Keir Starmer plans to do just that as President Trump leaves.”
Her intervention comes just days after Starmer’s joint press conference with Donald Trump, in which the US president admitted disagreements with Britain over the issue. Washington is doubling down on its support for Israel, preparing a $6bn weapons package, while key European allies push towards recognition.
The Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, also branded the move a historic error of foreign policy that would only impede peace efforts.
Mrs Badenoch accused Starmer of moral confusion, citing Labour’s criticism of Israeli strikes on Hamas leaders and its reluctance to back US-Israeli action against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“That is not diplomacy,” she said. “It signals to terrorists and tyrants alike that Britain no longer knows which way it is going.”
She also attacked Labour’s net zero plans, arguing they had handed economic leverage to China while driving up British energy costs.
“No country in history has defended freedom through economic self-sabotage,” she wrote.
Badenoch said the Conservatives would launch a new foreign policy doctrine of Conservative realism at their conference, rejecting both liberal internationalism and neo-con adventurism.
A future Tory government, she pledged, would be guided by “strength and sovereignty”, with boosted defense manufacturing at its core.
